Compact disc holder and organizer

ABSTRACT

A holder and organizer, particularly for compact discs, comprising a generally planar body, a pliable and resilient, yet firm, protrusion extending vertically from the body and means for attaching the holder and organizer onto a surface. Objects, such as compact discs, are mounted onto the protrusion for repeated removal and mounting. The protrusion has a shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of an opening of the object to be mounted thereon, such as the center opening of a compact disc. A compact disc mounted on the holder and organizer has its face prominently displayed and provides fast and easy access to compact discs. The holder and organizer can be attached to any appropriate surfaces, both vertically and horizontally, at or near where compact discs are used.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a holder and organizer, in particular,for compact discs and similar objects. The compact disc holder andorganizer prominently holds and displays the face of the compact discfor identification of the content and provides fast and ready access ofcompact disc stored thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Compact discs for music, data and other digital media are commonin everyday office and home activities and in automobile due to theincrease popularity of such storage media for business andentertainment. Compact discs are generally stored in hard plastic jewelcases, which open up similar to books. The inside of a jewel casegenerally provides a plurality of circularly arranged latches where thecenter opening of a compact disc mounts to hold it in place. To releasethe compact disc from the latches require pressing onto and convergingthe circularly arranged latches. A jewel case generally stores at mosttwo compact discs.

[0003] Jewel cases are generally stacked or arranged in either a shelfor individual slots in an organizer, which displays only the narrowspine of the jewel case, where information on the contents of thecompact disc is provided. However, due to the limited space provided inthe spine area of the jewel case, only limited summary information isprovided, which disadvantageously hinders a user from locating aparticular compact disc.

[0004] Additionally, it is not uncommon that a particular compact discis not stored in its corresponding jewel case, and either stored in awrong jewel case or not in any jewel case at all, which further hindersa user from locating a particular compact disc. In order to access aparticular compact disc, a user must first locate the correspondingjewel case, then open the case with two hands to determine whether thecorresponding compact disc is inside.

[0005] Often a user has a plurality of compact discs which he/she usesfrequently, be it music or data. This prior art storage of compact discsdisadvantageously take time to locate a particular compact disc evenamong a plurality of compact discs frequently used by a user. Although auser can dispense with the jewel case to facilitate access, compactdiscs are prone to be damaged without appropriate protection.

[0006] Other prior art devices seek to overcome the inconvenience ofjewel cases while protecting individual compact discs by providing anorganizer with slots for a plurality of compact discs, which arecataloged on the outside of the organizer. Similar to jewel cases,information on the content of the compact discs are only summary,limited to the space provided on the organizer.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an inexpensive compact disc holderand organizer that prominently display the face and/or content of thecompact discs and to provide fast, simple and ready access to compactdiscs stored thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a holder and organizer for compactdiscs comprising a generally planar body, a pliable and resilient, yetfirm, cylindrical protrusion extending perpendicular therefrom and meansfor attaching the holder and organizer onto a surface. The diameter ofthe cylindrical protrusion correspond to the diameter of the centeropening of a compact disc. A compact disc is mounted, through its centeropening, onto the cylindrical protrusion such that the face of thecompact disc is prominently displayed. The flexibility and resiliency ofthe cylindrical protrusion allows repeated removal and mounting ofcompact discs thereon. Depending on the height of the cylindricalprotrusions, a plurality of compact discs can be mounted theron.Attachment means is provided to attach the holder and organizer to anyappropriate surfaces, both vertically and horizontally, at or near wherecompact discs are used.

[0009] In alternative embodiments of the compact disc holder andorganizer of the present invention, different stationery features areprovided on the surface of the body for miscellaneous organization. Forexample, a spring loaded clip, a mirror, a magnet, a white board, a foamboard, a pin board, a computer screen cleaner, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been chosenfor purposes of illustration and description and are shown in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the compact disc holder andorganizer of the present invention with a compact disc mounted thereonshown in broken lines

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side view of the compact disc holder and organizer ofFIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the compact disc holder andorganizer of FIG. 1 with a screen cleaner.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a compactdisc holder and organizer of the present invention with an armextension.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a top view of the compact disc holder and organizer ofFIG. 4.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a side view of the compact disc holder and organizer ofFIG. 4 showing the spring loaded clip.

[0017]FIG. 7 is the same view as FIG. 6 with the spring loaded clip inan open position.

[0018]FIG. 8 is the same view as FIG. 4 with a compact disc mountedthereon.

[0019]FIG. 9 is an alternative embodiment of a compact disc holder andorganizer of the present invention similar to that shown in FIG. 6further comprises a screen cleaner.

[0020]FIG. 10 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a compactdisc holder and organizer of the present invention for a car visor.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the compact disc holder and organizerof FIG. 10.

[0022]FIG. 12 is a front view of the compact disc holder and organizerof FIG. 10.

[0023]FIG. 13 is a side view of the compact disc holder and organizer ofFIG. 10.

[0024]FIG. 14 illustrates two compact disc holder and organizers of FIG.10 attached to a car visor, in the down position, with and without acompact discs mounted thereon.

[0025]FIG. 15 illustrates FIG. 14 with the car visor in the up position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] With reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numberindicates the same element throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1 aperspective view of a compact disc holder and organizer 10 of thepresent invention. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a compact discholder and organizer 10 comprising a generally planar body 11, aprotrusion 12 extending from body 11 and means for attaching body 11.Body 11 has opposite surfaces 13 and 14.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, protrusion 12 is generally cylindricalin shape and extends perpendicular from surface 13 of body 11. Thediameter of cylindrical protrusion 12 corresponds to the diameter of thecenter opening 15 of a compact disc 16 (shown in broken lines in FIGS. 1and 2). Compact disc 16 is mounted, through its center opening 15 ontocylindrical protrusion 12 such that its planar surface parallels planarbody 11. One face 17 of the compact disc 16 is prominently displayed,thereby displaying the content listed on face 17 of compact disc 16.Cylindrical protrusion 12 is preferably made of a pliable and resilient,yet firm, or squeezable material such as foam, which allows repeatedremoval and mounting of compact disc 16 thereon. Cylindrical protrusion12 can be made of other pliable and resilient, yet firm, material knownto one skill in the art, such as gel or rubber. Cylindrical protrusion12 can have different heights to accommodate different numbers ofcompact discs 16. For example, cylindrical protrusion 12 one-eighth ofan inch high can hold one compact disc 16 and half an inch high can holdfive or six compact discs 16 stacked together. Additionally, protrusion12 can have different cross-sectional shapes such as rectangular,triangular, octagon, star, etc. and sizes to hold different objectshaving corresponding opening shapes and sizes for mounting ontoprotrusion 12.

[0028] Attachment means is provided at opposite surface 14 of body 11for attaching body 111 onto a convenient surface, such as a shelf orcomputer monitor. Any appropriate attachment means, permanent orremovable, known to one skilled in the art, such as Velcro® hooks andloops, double-sided tape, adhesive, magnet, cubical pin, pin, clip,spring loaded clip, etc., can be used.

[0029] The compact disc holder and organizer 10 can be mountedvertically or horizontally. Preferably, the compact disc holder andorganizer 10 is mounted on a vertical surface of a computer monitor suchthat the face 17 of compact disc 16 faces a user. As a plurality ofcompact disc holder and organizer 10 are used, a user has fast and readyaccess to one or a plurality of compact discs 16.

[0030]FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of compact disc holder andorganizer 18 further comprising a plurality of soft bristles 19 along alinear edge 20 on opposite surface 14 of body 11. Soft bristles 19 areused to pick up dust from a surface, such as a computer monitor screen.When used as a screen cleaner, compact disc holder and organizer 10 isremoved from where it is attached and body 11 serves as a handle for theuser.

[0031] Although protrusion 12 of compact disc holder and organizer 10 issubstantially centrally located on body 11, FIGS. 4-8 show anotherembodiment of compact disc holder and organizer 21 having a protrusion12 not centrally located on body 11. Body 11 of compact disc holder andorganizer 21 further comprising an arm 22 extending from the mainportion 23 of body 11. Cylindrical protrusion 12 extends vertically fromsurface 13 of body 11 at the free end 24 of arm 22. Arm extension 22preferably has a length substantially equivalent to the radius of acompact disc 16, as illustrated in FIG. 8. At the opposite surface 14 ofbody 11 is the hook portion 25 of a Velcro® hook and loop latchingsystem for attaching onto a corresponding loop portion (not shown) on anappropriate and convenient surface (not shown) adjacent where compactdiscs 16 are used.

[0032] The compact disc holder and organizer 21 of FIGS. 4-8 furthercomprises a spring loaded clip 26 on the surface 13 of main portion 23of body 11. Clip 26 contains spring 27 which biases the clip together,as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, when pressure is exerted at thedirectional arrow 28, spring 26 is in tension and clip 26 is in the openposition for insertion of documents for holding by the clip 26. Springloaded clip 26 is of the type generally known to one skilled in the artand is not described herein in detail. Although FIGS. 4-8 show aspecific type of spring loaded clip 26, other clips or holding meansgenerally known to one skill in the art can be used.

[0033] Although compact disc holder and organizer 21 further comprises aspring loaded clip 26, the compact disc holder and organizer 21 may beused without the spring loaded clip 26. Alternatively, differentstationery items may be provided at the surface 13 of main portion 23 ofbody 11, such as a mirror, a magnet, a white board, a foam board, a pinboard, etc.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 9, the compact disc holder and organizer 21 mayalso further comprises a plurality of soft bristles 29 along a linearedge 30 on opposite surface 14 of main portion of body 11, which acts asa screen cleaner. When used as a screen cleaner, compact disc holder andorganizer 21 is removed from where it is attached and arm extension 22serves as a handle for the user.

[0035] FIGS. 10-14 shows an alternate embodiment of the compact discholder and organizer 30 for use in an automobile. Similar to the compactdisc holder and organizers 10 and 21, compact disc holder and organizer30 comprises a generally planar body 11, a protrusion 12 extendingvertically from one surface 13 of body 11 and means for attaching body11. Body 11 comprises a main portion 31 and an arm extension 32perpendicular to each other. Cylindrical protrusion 12 extendsvertically from the free end 33 of arm extension from surface 13 of body11, in the opposite direction of the main portion 31. Attachment meansof compact disc holder and organizer 30 comprises a wire tension spring34 on the opposite surface 14 of body 11.

[0036] Similar to the compact disc holder and organizer 21 of FIGS. 4-8,main portion 31 of body 111 may have different stationery items thereon,such as a spring loaded clip, a mirror, a magnet, a white board, a foamboard, a pin board, etc.

[0037]FIG. 14 illustrates two compact disc holder and organizers 30 ofFIG. 10 attached to a car visor 35 in the down position, one withcompact discs 16 mounted therein and one without compact discs 16. Wiretension spring 34 is attached to an edge of the car visor 35 such thatwhen the car visor 35 is in an down position, the face 17 of compactdisc 16 is in plain view for a user to select a particular compact disc16. As shown in FIG. 15, when car visor 35 is in the up position, aplurality of compact discs 16 are safely stored out of the way.

[0038] Although certain features of the invention have been illustratedand described herein, other better modifications and changes will occurto those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modification and changesthat fall within the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:
 1. A holder and organizer for securing objects having an opening, comprising: (a) a generally planar body; (b) a pliable and resilient, yet firm, protrusion extending from said body, said protrusion having a cross-sectional shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of the opening of the objects adapted to be mounted theron; and (c) means for attaching the holder and organizer onto a surface.
 2. The holder and organizer according to claim 1, wherein said protrusion extending perpendicularly from said body.
 3. The holder and organizer according to claim 2, wherein said protrusion extending for substantially one-eighth of an inch from said body.
 4. The holder and organizer according to claim 2, wherein said protrusion extending for substantially half an inch from said body.
 5. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said body having first and second planar surfaces, said protrusion extending from said first surface of said body and said attaching means is provided on said second surface of said body.
 6. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said protrusion is cylindrical in shape.
 7. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said protrusion is polygonal in shape.
 8. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said protrusion is made of foam.
 9. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said protrusion is made of plastic.
 10. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said protrusion is made of rubber.
 11. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said attaching means is a hook and loop system.
 12. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said attaching means is double-sided tapes.
 13. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said attaching means is adhesive.
 14. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said attaching means is a magnet.
 15. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said attaching means is a pin.
 16. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said attaching means is clip.
 17. The holder and organizer according to claim 5 wherein said body having a linear edge, further comprising a plurality of soft bristles on said second surface of said body along said linear edge.
 18. The holder and organizer according to claim 1 wherein said body further comprises a main portion and an arm extension having a free end, said protrusion extending from said free end of said arm extension.
 19. The holder and organizer according to claim 18 further comprising a spring loaded clip attached onto said main portion of said body.
 20. The holder and organizer according to claim 18 further comprising a mirror attached onto said main portion of said body.
 21. The holder and organizer according to claim 18 further comprising a magnet attached onto said main portion of said body.
 22. The holder and organizer according to claim 18 further comprising a white board attached onto said main portion of said body.
 23. The holder and organizer according to claim 18 wherein said body having first and second planar surfaces, said protrusion extends from said first surface of said body, said attaching means is provided on said second surface of said body and said main portion of said body having a linear edge, further comprising a plurality of soft bristles on said second surface of said body along said linear edge.
 24. The holder and organizer according to claim 18 wherein said protrusion extends perpendicularly from said free end of said arm extension and said main portion and arm extension are perpendicular to each other, with said main portion extending in the opposite direction from said protrusion.
 25. The holder and organizer according to claim 24 wherein said arm extension having first and second planar surfaces, said protrusion extends from said first surface of said arm extension, said attaching means is provided on said second surface of said arm extension.
 26. The holder and organizer according to claim 25 wherein said attaching means is a wire tension spring.
 27. A holder and organizer for securing objects having an opening, comprising: (a) a generally planar body; (b) a squeezable, resilient protrusion extending from said body, said protrusion having a cross-sectional shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of the opening of the objects adapted to be mounted theron; and (c) means for attaching the holder and organizer onto a surface.
 28. A holder and organizer for compact discs having center circular openings comprising: (a) a generally planar body; (b) a pliable and resilient, yet firm, protrusion extending from said body, said protrusion having a cross-sectional shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of the openings of the compact discs adapted to be mounted theron; and (c) means for attaching the holder and organizer onto a surface.
 29. The holder and organizer according to claim 26 wherein said body further comprises a main portion and an arm extension having a free end and a length substantially corresponding to the radius of the compact discs, said protrusion extending from said free end of said arm extension. 